HAMSTRING INJURIES PLAGUE TEAM’S CORNERBACKS

Cason left to guide first-year teammates

Starting at cornerback opposite him, there was an undrafted rookie. Starting at nickelback, there was an undrafted rookie. Rotating off the bench, there was an undrafted rookie.

The Chargers have four veteran cornerbacks on their roster, and lately, all but Cason have been sidelined with hamstring injuries. That leaves Cason with the first-year players, which could be the arrangement Thursday when the Chargers meet the 49ers in the preseason finale.

The statuses for Quentin Jammer, Marcus Gilchrist and Shareece Wright are all in question. They also missed last week’s preseason game against the Vikings.

“It definitely does make it a little different,” Cason said. “I’m helping those guy out as much I can. ... They look to me for different things, and I’m OK with that. I really enjoy doing it.”

There are seven cornerbacks on the roster altogether.

DeAndre Presley, Greg Gatson and Mount Miguel High grad Arthur Hobbs are the rookies who round it out.

They’ll be busy Thursday.

“Those young guys are going to get a lot of reps,” coach Norv Turner said. “We’re short.”

Presley was a quarterback, wide receiver and returner at Appalachian St. Aside from one college game at cornerback against Samford, Presley never played defense before he came to the Chargers.

He’s come a long way.

“Securing my roster spot, that’s the only goal for me,” said Presley, who had an interception last week. “Come out Thursday and show our coaches and our team that I can play with these guys and that I belong here in the NFL. I belong here on this football team.”

Returner TBD

There’s no clarity yet at the Chargers’ kick returner position.

Richard Goodman is the incumbent, but after missing much of training camp with a groin injury, Micheal Spurlock is also in the fray.

“We don’t have to do that until the Raider game,” Turner said. “Spurlock is looking good. Goodman is doing well.”

The two wide receivers are in the mix for what could be two roster spots at the position. Mike Willie is also in the fold as the last undrafted rookie wide receiver on the team.

He has four catches for 90 yards this preseason, including a 38-yard touchdown catch.

“I’d just like him to be more consistent,” Turner said. “He’s a young guy that’s all over the place. He obviously has shown he can catch, but he’s not a very disciplined player right now.”

Nuts ’n’ Bolts.

Safety Darrell Stuckey hasn’t practiced since the Aug. 9 preseason opener against the Packers. His injury was originally called a stinger, but the team clarified Tuesday that he suffered a concussion. “It’s a new world,” Turner said. “It’s a concussion. I don’t know if I ever put a timetable on it because every guy is different. He’s making progress. Hopefully he’ll be able to start practice soon.”

• Wide receiver Robert Meachem and guard-center Rex Hadnot (knee) returned to practice after resting Monday.

• Running back Ryan Mathews (right shoulder) continues to cardio on the side. He ran sprints uphill Tuesday while carrying a football in his right arm. “There’s no question in my mind he can run,” Turner said. “He’s been out here running on the field, doing drills and those types of things. As soon as that thing heals, he’ll be ready to go.”